Parish Schedule

• Saturday Liturdy: 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday Liturgy: 9 & 11 a.m.
• Weekdays:

Tues. & Wed.: 7:00 p.m.
Thurs. & Fri.: 8:00 a.m.
• Reconciliation: Sat. 4:15 p.m.

Or by appointment
• Office Hours: Mon. - Fri.

9:00 a.m. - noon., 1 - 4 p.m.
• Contact the office to arrange for Baptisms, 

Marriages and Funerals
• Hall rentals:  789-7800
• Gerein Centre Use: 757-1325

In our Scriptures today, we see that thirst really means desire. And we all know the power of desire in our lives. Desire moves us to work, to love, to even kill. Desire can bring disaster into our lives, or it can give us life that is overwhelming.  At times we need to kill our desires -- such as the desire for money or possessions, alcohol or drugs and cigarettes; or our longing for too much food or the wrong kinds of food. But we can also try to kill our desire for things of the spirit, for the living water of relationship with Christ. Our desire for God can simply waste away through neglect -- neglecting that side of ourselves that is calling us to acknowledge our deep spiritual selves.

For many of us it is a question of deadly desires and deadened desires.  Deadly desires lead us into more death. And deadened desires also lead us to a living death. We are called to pay very close attention to our desires.  I would like to suggest a valuable Lenten practice. Take some time to make an inventory of your desires. In fact, you might want to make it a history of your desires. Looking back on your life, what were the strongest desires that you had? Did you follow these desires? Were you able to distinguish between the desires that brought life and those that brought death? Are some of these desires still with you?

What is it that pushes you on through life? What have you done with the desire that God has placed within you -- the desire for the fullness of life. Have other thirsts taken the place of this most essential of thirsts? It seems to me that this would be a very valuable thing for all of us to do.  If we did it in a spirit of prayer, I am convinced the Lord would reveal something very important to each of us.

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY – Sign up now to have your photo included in our parish directory.  Photo times are:

• Thur., Mar. 7, 3:30 – 9 p.m.
• Fri., Mar. 8, 3:30 – 9 p.m.
• Sat., Mar. 9, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Thur., Mar. 14, 3:30 – 9 p.m.
• Fri., Mar. 15, 3:30 – 9 p.m.
• Sat., Mar. 16, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

WORLD YOUTH DAY – Patsy Fisher will be at Holy Cross on Mar. 10, at the 11 a.m. Mass to speak about World Youth Day.  There will be a brief information meeting afterwards in the Gerein Centre for anyone interested in attending World Youth Day. For more information on World Youth Day check the website: www.wyd2002.org.

K. OF C. INFORMATION NIGHT – Sun., Mar. 3, 7:00 p.m. in the Gerein Centre.  Everyone is invited.  This is meant to inform anyone interested in what and who the Knights of Columbus are, what they do and have done both locally and internationally.  For more information call Frank: 536-4433.

SHAMROCKS – The K. of C. will be selling shamrocks on Mar. 9/10 to raise money for Camp Monahan.  Please support this worthwhile project.

DAY OF THE UNBORN CHILD – On the Feast of the Annunciation, Mon., Mar. 25, join the Knights of Columbus order-wide to honor the motherhood of Mary and observe the Day of the Unborn Child.  The K. of C. (Msgr. Gerein Council), CWL and Men’s Club are joining forces to promote the day with Mass at 12:10 at Holy Cross, followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and concluding with the Rosary and Benediction at 7:30 p.m.  Plan to join us.

DONATION RECEIPTS – are now available for pick-up in the Gerein Centre.